This is not just an article about private dining rooms. This is an article about London’s most beautiful, most extravagant, most exclusive private dining rooms – spaces that shimmer and glow, are plastered in priceless artworks, and just generally have that all-around ‘wow’ factor. So, from a table surrounded by shimmering lights to a sci-fi studio smuggled beneath Oxford Circus, here’s our edit of beautiful rooms for private dos.
1–3 Mount St, W1K 3NB
Bacchanalia: Apollo’s Muse
If you’re considering Bacchanalia for your private dinner, you might as well go the whole marble-statued hog and book its private members' club, Apollo’s Muse. Every detail of the glitzy space is done up to the nines – from floor-to-ceiling marble to bespoke wine glasses made from Murano glass. With space for up to 40 seated (or 100 standing), it’s best for a big gathering akin to a Roman feast – especially as you’ll be sharing huge platters of Bacchnalia’s signature Grecian-Roman food.
Kioku by Endo: Turret
As far as settings go, the Old War Office is already impressive. And then you arrive at Kioku by Endo on the rooftop and see the floor-to-ceiling skyline panorama, and think, ‘Surely you can’t get better than this?’. And then you step into the private dining room, which is housed in its own huge stone turret, and jaws will start hitting floors. The 10-seat circular table has windows all around the edge offering 360-degree city views; you almost won’t notice the pretty painted ceiling or Endo’s Mediterranean-inflected Japanese menu – and that’s really saying something.
The OWO, 2 Whitehall Pl, SW1A 2BD
110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
SAMBA ROOM
Despite being perched on the 39th floor of Heron Tower, it’s not the views that’ll most impress you at this new lounge. It’s the design. Bathed in an amber glow and filled with retro furniture, the bar is visually stunning – and can be transformed into a chic private dining room at the touch of a button, which causes a custom-designed sculptural table to descend from the ceiling.
Mount Street Restaurant: The Italian Rooms
You’ll find this Amalfi lemon-yellow room above the main dining room at Mount Street Restaurant. In keeping with the restaurant’s artistic persona, the Venetian-designed room is decorated with artworks by De Chirico, and the centrepiece bar is crafted from Italian Verde Alpi Marble. The long oak table seats up to 10 guests, with an adjoining bar that’s perfect for a cosy pre- or post-dinner cocktail.
First Floor, 41–43 Mount St, W1K 2RX
20 Mount St, London, W1K 2HE
Scott’s: Renoir Room
There are two beautiful private rooms at Scott’s, but the Renoir Room is our favourite – not least because it has a gallery’s worth of art, including pieces by its namesake Pierre-August Renoir, splashed across its walls. But the floor is where things get really funky. Made from hundreds of agate stones and illuminated with Lalique lights, it creates the feeling that you’re dining on water.
Chiltern Firehouse: The Garden Room
Although the ever-exclusive Firehouse is known – and beloved – by most, not many know that it also has a private room overlooking the courtyard. Seating between eight and 12 people, the garden-themed room is a bit further away from the main restaurant, giving it an air of proper privacy, and serves a special four-course menu.
1 Chiltern St, London, W1U 7PA
53 Park Ln, London, W1K 1QA
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester: La Table Lumière
This glittering experience transcends the traditional private dining room: instead of being a separate space, la table is in the middle of the main restaurant, encircled by a curtain of shimmering fibre optics. You can choose your tableware, with options including Hermès china, Puiforcat silverware, and Saint-Louis crystal, but the chefs will choose your seven-course tasting menu – and a sommelier will be on paired wines.
Hutong: The Shanghai Room
Featuring spectacular floor-to-ceiling views over Tower Bridge and the City, the smaller of Hutong’s two private rooms seats 18 or stands 50 – ideal if you’re hosting a larger group for drinks. It’s secluded from the rest of the restaurant by huge hand-carved wooden doors but retains the vibe of the main dining room via red lanterns and ornate chairs.
33 St Thomas St, London, SE1 9RY
17 Little Portland St, London, W1W 8BP
The Tent (at the end of the universe): Chef’s Studio
If you’re looking for something a bit different, try the 12-person private dining room at The Tent. It’s a bit of a mission to find: the restaurant is hidden behind an unmarked door in Fitzrovia, and the private room is further concealed behind a sound-proofed staircase. Once you’ve found it, though, you’re in for a treat: the room is sci-fi-themed with a statement gallery wall, and you’ll be eating eight courses of chef John Javier’s signature ‘borderless’ cuisine.
Midland Grand: Private Dining Room
It’s no surprise that the private dining room at Midland Grand is one of the city’s most beautiful: it was designed by renowned Parisian architect Hugo Turo. Like the rest of the restaurant, the 14-seat room is a masterclass of Victorian elegance, with marble pillars, florid carpets, and a huge working fireplace festooned with flowers. Make sure to drop by Gothic Bar for a pre-dinner tipple, too.
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Rd., London, NW1 2AR
41A S Audley St, W1K 2PS
Socca Mayfair: Petit Salon
With its pale blue tones and hand-painted mural, Socca’s private room feels almost nautical – a great backdrop for a culinary voyage through Claude Bosi’s greatest hits. Or, at least, his South of France-inspired greatest hits, like grilled tiger prawns, tomato gnocchi, and slow-cooked beef cheeks. It seats up to 26 people, but we recommend inviting up to 18 so you have space for a standing drinks reception.
